Jones shows a passing option with TD throw : govolsxtra.com

The G-Gun reached a higher caliber in the Orange and White Game.

After being a run-only attack in 2007, Tennessee receiver Gerald Jones showed off his passing arm on Saturday, lining up at quarterback and finding a wide-open Denarius Moore downfield for a 17-yard touchdown.

"We were just having fun with it. I don't know if we'll do it next year or not," new offensive coordinator Dave Clawson said. "I thought it would work because whenever you put a special play in practice that doesn't work, that means it will probably work in a game.

"Whereas if you put in a trick play in practice that works, it has no shot of working (in a game)."

Clawson didn't recall the passing G-Gun work once in practice. That's when he came to the conclusion that it was tailor-made for Saturday's game-like conditions.

"I said 'That play's going to work.' " Clawson said.

Last season in the G-Gun, Jones rushed eight times for 58 yards, including 39 yards on two carries in the SEC championship game against LSU. In the only other G-Gun play on Saturday, the sophomore rushed for 12 yards.

The Vols also have toyed with safety Eric Berry at quarterback late in spring practice. However, the sophomore didn't see anytime on offense during Saturday's finale.

For the G-Gun to reach its full potential, Jones said he'll have to be a threat to throw. Otherwise the change-up package will see defenders crowding the line, determined to stop the run.

"I think it makes it hard to stop if I can throw the ball and they allow me to throw the ball and I can complete the passes and also be successful on the ground," said Jones, who added the Vols only put the passing play in this week. "I think that's very hard to stop."

Should UCLA, the Vols' season opening opponent, take note of Jones' passing arm?

"They better," Jones said with a smile.

Decade-Ago Dominance : Several UT players from the 1998 national championship team were honored during halftime.

"A lot of guys didn't know it was even going to happen," former safety Fred White said. "When it did, it brought a smile to everybody's face."

A video montage of the 1998 season played on the Jumbotron during the ceremony.

"It put chills up your spine," White said. "It was great."

The praise will continue this fall, as UT announced an exclusive agreement with Dish Network to produce "Perfection", a season-long tribute to the 1998 Vols.

Super Safeties: UT's highly-touted safeties delivered. Berry had an interception, a tackle and broke up a pass. Junior Demetrice Morley had an interception, a tackle and broke up two passes.

"We've just been trying to make our defense better by elevating our play and letting it trickle down to the other defensive backs and our defense," Berry said.

Creer Shines: Sophomore tailback Lennon Creer received most of the first team snaps as projected starter Arian Foster was given a light workload. Creer responded with 10 rushes for 59 yards and a touchdown.

"I think it can help bring explosiveness to the backfield," Creer said of his play. "Arian is a good running back too. I think it can bring a change of pace to the offense."

Foster, a senior, had one carry for eight yards. Creer admitted he was surprised that Foster wasn't directed to carry more of the load.

"That was fine with me," Creer said.

Early Bird: Junior quarterback Jonathan Crompton had an early day. He attended the 8 a.m. meeting of the UT Athletics Board to be recognized as the most improved male athlete. Eric Brey, director of the Thornton Center, praised Crompton for his leadership.

Also recognized was former receiver Maurice Staley (1994-95) who returned to campus and completed his degree in psychology.

Tackling: Defensive back Anthony Anderson led the Vols with eight tackles. The former Austin-East star had four solos and four assists. Linebackers Rico McCoy, Savion Frazier and Nick Reveiz all had seven tackles for second best.

Mike Strange contributed to this report.